Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Crimson Ruby Love ❯ Crimson Ruby Love ( Chapter 1 )

Chapter 1

By YamiYugikun

Authors notes: Sandy is used to describe hair, not skin tone so Seto's skin has been changed to olive for the rest of the story.

"Hahaha! Today is the day of your defeat pharaoh!" laughed the haughty voice of a high priest storming down the large open mud brick hall of the pharaoh's palace to prepare for a duel in the pharaoh's courtroom. The young priest in his mid twenties eagerly awaited the duel of his lifetime. The reflection of the dimly lit torches, dancing in the irises of his icy blue eyes showed his rising excitement. To dress for this special day he wore his finest clothes, a snow-white silken headdress covering his mahogany brown hair with gold trim around the edges of the headdress. On his forehead was a fine gold circlet holding the headdress in place. Around his neck resting on his pale skin olive color hung a golden ankh tied by a gold chain. Draped behind his shoulders swayed a long flowing cape made of the same white silk as his headdress. He wore around his waist a pleated kilt of the same rich material tied by a golden belt inlaid with precious rare gems girdled his waist. In contrast, on his feet were plain leather sandals. The ornately dressed young priest was stunning as the mysterious pharaoh himself.

As he entered the grand courtroom with its massive columns upholding the tall ceiling, on the mud brick walls were painted lovely scenes of royalty, gods and myths. The paintings were bright and richly colored, so elaborate, only the wealthy like the pharaoh himself could afford them. Among the paintings were portraits depicting the pharaohs of Egypt. The last portrait was the eighteenth pharaoh of the current dynasty. Below the painted walls and portraits were stone sculptures of various royalty and gods.

On the tiled floor sat middle ranking priests dressed in linen and flax robes as silk was expensive and rare. Hoods covered their heads obscuring their dark enigmatic faces. They clasped their hands together chanting softly in prayer. In front of the pharaoh's grand throne was staged an arena for the duel to come. Located the right of pharaoh's throne on the arena floor were gigantic stone monoliths with carvings of duel monsters engraved in them. They would sleep silently until they were summoned upon to fight during a duel. Today the pharaoh's best monoliths were laid out for his duel with the high priest. The high priest also had his monoliths laid out to left of the pharaoh's throne on the arena floor to call forth his monsters into battle when the battle began.

The priests bowed their heads in honor as the high priest passed by them stopping before the throne waiting for the pharaoh himself to come. All chants in the room ceased as soon as the pharaoh himself made his grand entrance. Despite his hatred against the pharaoh personally the coldhearted priest had to prostrate himself his lord or suffer the punishment of execution for not showing proper respect. Everyone, including the priests, the slaves, and the servants all displayed obiscense before the pharaoh or faced punishment. He was considered to be a god as well as the son of the gods as well. The people believed he was sent from heaven to rule Egypt itself. No one dared to disobey the pharaoh even the high priest himself.

The high priest prostrated himself before the pharaoh bowing his head to the ground masking the resentful feelings that played like shadows on his face. The pharaoh stood silently before his throne awing those mortals present with his god like aura. The young pharaoh was the same age as the high priest in his mid twenties. He too like the high priest wore his finest clothes and jewelry for this special day. Covering his slender yet muscular figure he wore a short pure white silken skirt reaching his knees. The fringes of his skirt were embroidered with gold trim. Around his waist to hold his pleated kilt he wore a gold belt similar to the high priest's inlaid with precious gems such as lapis lazuli, turquoise, and carnelian. Embellishing his wrists, arms and ankles he wore the same precious gems in his armband, wristbands and ankle bands all made of pure gold. But the most precious and beautiful of all his jewelry was his Millennium Puzzle hanging from a golden chain around his neck its golden luster laid against his beautiful bronze skin. Adorning his head he wore a crown made of gold inlaid with silver. It was like the circlet the high priest donned, a small band worn just below his hairline. Diamonds showed high rank in Egyptian society so the pharaoh showing his status had many rare diamonds laid in with the silver. To also show others he was the king in the center of his crown upon his forehead was a jeweled snake in the middle of the band. Jewelry down to every last detail especially among the royalty was very important.

From the pharaoh's sloping shoulders a silk cape fell flowing gracefully behind him. He didn't wear a headdress like the priest for his hairstyle wasn't suited fit it. A few golden locks outlined his handsome bronze face. The rest of his hair was jet black spiked back with hot pink highlights outlining the edges of his hair.

The elegantly dressed pharaoh turned away walking up the steps of his throne finally taking a seat. He lifted a hand signaling for his court and all those bowed to lift their heads. The seated priests slowly did so as did the high priest now standing up before the god enthroned above.

The pharaoh's main attendant standing below the throne cleared his throat announcing loudly to the court, "Today in honor of all those gathered before our lord we are hosting a special duel. Normally I would challenge High Priest Seto on behalf his majesty but after so many duels Seto has proved himself worthy of challenging his lordship directly."

"All hail the god who rules from his throne the land of the Nile," chanted the seated priests in unison.

"And now, let the games begin!" announced the attendant excitedly.

At last the time came when high priest Seto would challenge his divine nemesis directly! For years he awaited this moment feeling his hot blood burn in anticipation. He defeated all opponents who dared to play the Dark Game just duel the pharaoh himself. The pharaoh said to possess divine powers conquered every duelist who rose to challenge him. But not Seto-sama. He'd win no matter what.

Taking his position on the other side of the combat arena directly across the throne the proud priest raising his mighty arms beckoning to the god of the sun Ra, "Oh great Ra-sama of the sun whose divine radiance showers upon us with thy rays of light grant unto me thy power so I may win this duel in honor!"

"Oh Ra god of the sun grant unto this duelist your divine power," echoed the seated priests in unison chanting on the floor behind the high priest.

After the high priest called upon the god of the sun the seated pharaoh himself rose at last his towering divine form striking awe in those present of him. The pharaoh raised his bronze tanned arms the color of rich honey to the sky as well beseeching Shu, the god of the air, "Oh great Shu who gives unto us life with the divine air we breath grant unto me thy power so I may win this duel in honor!"

"Oh Shu god of the air grant unto his divine lordship your divine power," repeated the priests back in unison chanting softly.

With their prayers chanted to the gods who watched over them the duel was ready to start! Seto feeling his blood burn hotly took the first turn. He raised his arms to the ceiling commanding the blue eyes white dragon to appear before him. Two monoliths on the arena's left floor rose to their bases standing up by the priest's magical powers. The spirits of two duel monsters awoke emerging from the massive monoliths. Their forms merged together creating the legendary blue eyes white dragon.

The high priest arrogantly crossed his arms grinning smugly. His piercing eyes shone like icy sapphires glazed over. "See if you can beat me this time pharaoh!" laughed he to himself.

The pharaoh himself couldn't help but smirk seeing the enthusiasm in Seto's sapphire eyes. "I see you are confident priest but don't let your pride blind you." Thought he to himself summoning forth his faithful black magician. The black magician's commanding form loomed above in the air besides the pharaoh's throne. Eyes narrowed and staff in hand the magician stood poised to do his master's bidding.

"Blue eyes white dragon, white ball of light, attack!" commanded the high priest his rich voice echoing throughout the courtroom loudly. He pointed to the black magician.

"Black magician, defend!" ordered the pharaoh standing up in front of his throne his voice deep and musical.

Throwing his head back opening his jaws the blue eyes white dragon formed a ball of blinding white light in his mouth. He hurled his body forward releasing the ball of light with full force aimed at the black magician who in defense raised his staff releasing a blast of black energy to counter the white dragon's attack. Both attacks hit each other with a bang neutralizing each other immediately. The seated priests in awe gasped seeing the awesome might of the duel monsters' power.

"Ra-dammnit!" cursed the high priest under his breath hissing. "Prepare yourself, pharaoh! This time you won't be so lucky!" He raised his olive colored hands again commanding his blue eyes to launch a second attack stronger than the first. The blue eyes lunging his gigantic body forward again shot out an even stronger blast of blinding white energy at the pharaoh's duel monster.

The pharaoh froze not expecting such a powerful attack. He commanded his magician to defend again hoping he'd survive the terrifying attack. The black magician screamed at the top of his lungs struck by the blue eye's attack. He hung his head breathing weakly very low on energy.

"Ha!" laughed the vain priest grinning triumphantly. "Next attack and you're dead pharaoh!" thought he.

"Letting your pride blind you high priest, aren't you?" listened the pharaoh observantly hearing the high priest's haughty laughter. The pharaoh's once calm feline shaped eyes narrowed and his crimson irises burned for the spirit of combat in him stirred.

"Attack again with full power!" cackled the high priest even more haughtily feeling his victory near.

"His blue eyes attacking with full power is my key to winning," smiled the honey-skinned pharaoh to himself. The moment the blue eyes charged himself up for his attack the black magician closed in quickly striking the blue eyes with full power.

"Black magic, full power attack!" commanded the pharaoh in his booming voice knowing it was his victory that was near.

The single moment when the blue eyes charged himself, left him fully open to attack as all his energy went into forming the ball of white light leaving him defenseless. The black magician's attack struck with full force falling the gigantic blue eyes. His form broke back into the two smaller duel monsters that returned to their monoliths now on the titled arena floor again.

The high priest gasped falling to his knees. His breathing ceased, his eyes stared wide open, and his jaw dropped feeling the defeat of his precious blue eyes striking him like a bolt of thunder from the heavens showing no mercy. To him crushing the pharaoh to gain the title King of Games meant more to him than life itself. He lived, he breathed, and his heart beat only for him to be the King of Games. To loose the duel of his life felt like his soul itself broke shattered like a mirror into a thousand pieces. He'd rather die than suffer the shame. He sprang to his knees sprinting out of the grand courtroom at full speed down the mud brick hallways to the privacy of his room. There he collapsed on his bed crying hysterically.

All priests and attendants in the courtroom froze seeing the manner in which the high priest stormed out. Then all their eyes were set on the pharaoh. He said nothing quietly descending the steps of his throne, down the aisle leaving the somber courtroom. Half down the dimly lit painted halls right outside the high priest's chambers the pharaoh halted. He never realized just how deeply he shattered the priest's fragile soul.

"My attendants, they told me Seto being coldhearted never once laughed or cried, locking all feelings in his icy heart," thought the pharaoh ruefully. "Only now with his defeat does the ice broke and his heart cry. The least I can do is apologize."

Lost in a sea of tears the high priest continued crying hysterically collapsed upon his bed. He cried for what like eternity until his bloodshot eyes could cry no more. He sat up astonished to see the pharaoh himself in his chambers. The kindhearted pharaoh himself said nothing the whole time quietly seated on a stool in front of the high priest's dresser.

Laying on his bed the high priest remained silent struck by the remorse in the pharaoh himself. "High Priest, you have every right to loath me." Spoke the pharaoh softly. "I destroyed your dreams crushing everything you lived for. The least I can do is offer an apology from the bottom of my heart."

Seto could hardly fathom what he heard. Had the god like pharaoh who never apologized to anyone lowers himself below the high priest daring to apologize? Indeed. The high priest felt as if he were smote by another bolt from the heavens too awestruck to say anything.

The pharaoh knowing the priest said nothing stood up to leave his chambers. "If you wish to visit me you may freely do so in my chambers." Said he in a whisper looking over his shoulder at the silent priest.

Back in his chambers alone the pharaoh removed his silken cape hanging it on the painted wall. He opened the shudders of the small round window to let a breeze into the hot dim room. A cool breeze blew in cooling the pharaoh's sweaty bronze skin. The breeze carried with the smell of incense carrying the jasmine fragrance throughout the room. Atop his dresser was an oil lamp burning scented lilac oil. The scent of the lilac mixed with the jasmine creating a seductive scent which the pharaoh breathed in deeply relaxing. To add to the smelly scents he took a jar of myrrh oil removing its lid. A servant came in rubbing the delicious oil over his body mixing it with the sweat making his body smell sweet. Lastly he applied natural perfumes from irises, lilies and roses. He smelled sweeter than the flowers themselves.

Deciding to look as beautiful as he smelled he took out his cosmetics just about to apply them when he sensed someone outside his chambers. "Come in," spoke the pharaoh softly.

The high priest pushed aside the linen sheet that hung from the pharaoh's entryway put there for privacy. He prostrated himself on the tile floor showing obeisance to the pharaoh. "My lordship, I unworthy Seto have come before your presence."

"Please Seto," began Yami gently putting down his cosmetic brush. "Such formalities are unnecessary as they only serve to divide us."

"Alright then Yami." Said he standing back up to sit on the pharaoh's large linen covered bed stuffed underneath with a down feathery mattress. Seto breathed in the sensuous fragrances of the room feeling his body relax. The strongest and loveliest scents of all came from Yami himself. Even his sweat coating his muscular bronze body smelled sweet mixed with the myrrh oil. Smelling the myrrh oil the high priest couldn't help but study the sculpted muscular forms of the pharaoh's well muscled back.

Yami smiled knowing the handsome high priest breathed in his alluring perfume while staring at his back. The pharaoh grinned turning around to face the priest eyelevel on his bed. He crossed his legs under his silken kilt resting his delicate arms over his sweaty knees. The priest gulped nervously allured even more by the pharaoh's mysterious beauty.

"Y…y…yami." Stuttered the priest enraptured by the pharaoh's eyes whose scarlet irises gazed into his of icy blue playfully. The more he gazed into those scarlet eyes the more the sun shinning through the small window illuminated them, its light dancing in them like a ruby sparkling under the sun's light. Seto forced himself to close his eyes to even speak straightly. "Yami, though your apologies calm my heart my soul will never rest until I've become the King of Games. In this life this title belongs to you but perhaps in a future life it will be mine."

The pharaoh nodded feeling an inner peace now that him and the high priest came to a truce. "At least as duelists we've come to a truce but what about our relationship outside of dueling?" he asked thoughtfully.

The high priest opened his eyes lifting a brow. A relationship existing outside of dueling with the pharaoh? Such a thought never occurred to him! He thought of the pharaoh as his opponent and nothing more until now.

"I myself have pondered such a relationship," whispered the pharaoh softly walking over to his closet. Underneath his wardrobe of fine linen clothes he took out a pulled chest painted in lacquer with gold decorations engraved on it. He sat on the linen bed next to the high priest speaking gently, "This chest is where I write down the secrets of my heart locking them inside for no mortal eyes to see. But to your sapphire eyes I'll reveal my secrets."

With a dainty bronze hand the pharaoh opened the chest taking out a scroll of wrapped papyrus. He unraveled it reading its poetry aloud. "Standing on the banks of the Nile I gaze across it into the eyes of the sapphire one my heart's love welling deep inside. But so divided am I from the fair skinned one I cannot help but cry."

"Me!" realized Seto astonished. "I am the sapphire eyed one and fair skinned one the poem refers to!" He never imagined the god like pharaoh harbored such feelings towards someone coldhearted like himself.

The quiet pharaoh blushed his dark cheeks flushed red with embarrassment openly admitting his feelings towards the high priest. The high priest chuckled seeing how embarrassed his pharaoh was. "Yami, you look like you've smeared red ochre on your cheeks their so red!" laughed he lightheartedly. Red Ochre was a makeup the ancient Egyptians applied to their lips and cheeks to color them red.

"Really!" laughed Yami nervously grinning with delight.

Seto chuckled putting an arm around his pharaoh's myrrh scented shoulders. The high priest's icy heart melted a little now warmed by the pharaoh's kindness. "Perhaps I could write a poem back in reply to yours though I'm not much of a poet." Suggested Seto humbly.

The pharaoh's ruby colored eyes sparkled excitedly. He smiled resting his head against Seto's strong shoulder. "I would…love that!" he piped full of enthusiasm. "For months I've written poetry desiring only the object of my affections to reply."

"Ah, of course to please the gods I will write but remember I'm not a poet." Joked Seto grinning thinking back to how poor his poetry skills were.

.

"How about tomorrow over lunch in my garden you can share your poem?" asked Yami eagerly.

"Sure, I look forward to it." Replied the high priest looking forward to it.

The next day both men dressed their best again wearing traditional linen instead of silk. In his chambers the pharaoh wrapped a lightweight, pleaded linen kilt around his waist fastening it with a gold belt. The semi-transparent fabric fell to his feet. Around his upper body he oiled himself with myrrh again. His lovely bronze skin glistened the soothing oil coating it. Too smell more fragrant he applied lily, iris and rose perfume to scent his body and hair. Next he took out his cosmetic tray rubbing red ochre on his lips and cheeks. Taking the lid off a jar of kohl eye paint, he used a small stick to rim his eyes painting the upper and lower lids black. He also painted his eyebrows and lashes with the kohl paint making them stand out. He almost forgot to wear his crown and millennium puzzle. With those on the striking pharaoh was ready to meet his beloved priest.

He paced around in the garden eagerly waiting for Seto to arrive.

"What fine weather we have today." Greeted a musical rich voice from behind him. The high noon sun beat down on the high priest's mahogany hair revealing his auburn highlights as rich as red ochre itself. Matching his auburn highlights on his cheeks and lips he applied red ochre making himself pleasing to the pharaoh's eyes. The pharaoh noticed he wore the same kohl paint rimming his eyes, his eyelashes and eyebrows painted too. He smelled as lovely as he looked.

"You've coated your body with myrrh adding a touch of rose and a dab of henna?" grinned Yami breathing in the delicious scent of Seto's fragrance.

Seto smiled. The brilliant rays of the high noon sun danced in his sapphire eyes making his irises glow. For a moment lost in time Yami couldn't help but fixate himself on the play of light in Seto's eyes. Seto too gazed back into the pharaoh's ruby red eyes the light dancing playfully in them.